Transliteration:( Wa iz akhazal laahu meesaaqan Nabiyyeena lamaaa aataitukum min Kitaabinw wa Hikmatin summa jaaa'akum Rasoolum musaddiqul limaa ma'akum latu'minunna bihee wa latansurunnah; qaala a'aqrartum wa akhaztum alaa zaalikum isree qaalooo aqrarnaa; qaala fashhadoo wa ana ma'akum minash shaahideen )
175. From Hazrat Adam (On whom be peace) to Hazrat Isa (On whom be peace) a covenant was taken from every Prophet concerning the Holy Prophets, Through these Prophets this covenant is taken from their followers because the followers remain subservient to the Prophets. The agreement of the leader is binding on the entire nation.
176. From 'comes to you' we learn that the Holy Prophet has come to all from the time of Hazrat Adam (On whom be peace) and all are the follower of the Holy Prophet Allah Almighty has made the Holy Prophet a total mercy, giver of glad tidings and a prophet for all the worlds. Those prior to the advent of the Holy Prophet are all included in the word all the worlds'. For this reason all the Prophets of Allah Almighty performed Salaah behind the Holy Prophet on the Night of Me'raj. That Salaah was the Salaah read in the Shariah of the Holy Prophet and not according to the Shariah of Hazrat Musa (On whom be peace) or Hazrat Isa (On whom be peace).
177. From this, emerge two issues:
1. The covenant from the Prophets was taken only regarding our Holy Prophet because only the final Prophet can verify all the truth about all the Prophets and all the revealed Books, and this Final Prophet is our Holy Prophet.
2. There can be no Prophet or revealed Book to come after our Holy Prophet is because our Holy Prophet the verifier, not prophesier of any coming prophet. Verification is made about those who came, while prophesy is made of those to come.
178. Although all the Prophets had brought on faith on the Holy Prophet the Day of the Covenant, it was their natural faith their lawful and religious faith could only take place after they had physically come into this world. It is this religious faith which is the means of obtaining rewards. Although on the Day of Covenant every soul had brought faith, this was purely in their spiritual state. Thus, because of this faith everyone cannot be called a believer. If this is the case then all the non-believers would have to be called believers as they were all part of the Day of the Covenant. In this verse Faith refers to the religious faith.
179. By 'you help him' suggests that pious sages give assistance even after their physical death, because Allah Almighty had taken a solemn promise from the Prophets to render assistance to the Religion of the Holy Prophet although Allah Almighty was fully aware that none of these Prophets would be physically alive during the period of Through our Holy Prophet the help of Hazrat Musa (On whom be peace) on the Night of Me'raj, the fifty Salaahs were reduced to five. Likewise, the Holy Prophet too, is rendering every assistance to his Ummah (followers) till this day. If the Holy Prophet was not assisting his followers, we would not be able to do any good deeds.
180. To show the importance of the Covenant the word "BALAA" certainly is not used in this verse as it was used when the promise of Unity of Allah Almighty (Tauheed) was taken. Instead the word "AQRARNAA" (we did affirm) is used, and He made every Prophet a witness over one another as well as sealed the Covenant by making Himself witness over all. On the Day of the Covenant three types of promises were taken. The first promise which Allah Almighty took was about His Oneness, then from His Prophets about the Holy thirdly from the Prophet Ulama of Bani Israel regarding propagation of His Religion. In this verse the second promise is mentioned. From this we learn that in matters of importance the acceptance cannot be shown by a single word 'Yes'. Full words of acceptance have to be mentioned. In marriage. after the declaration of intent (IEJAAB) the acceptance by saying 'Yes' will not be deemed sufficient. The same will be the case with important business agreements etc.
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81. And (remember) when Allah took the covenant of the Prophets, saying: “Take whatever I gave you from the Book and Hikmah, and afterwards there will come to you a Messenger confirming what is with you; you must, then, believe in him and help him.” Allah said: “Do you agree (to it) and will you take up Isri” They said: “We agree.” He said: “Then bear witness; and I am with you among the witnesses.” 82. Then whoever turns away after this, they are the rebellious.
Allah states that He took a pledge from every Prophet whom He sent from Adam until `Isa, that when Allah gives them the Book and the Hikmah, thus acquiring whatever high grades they deserve, then a Messenger came afterwards, they would believe in and support him. Even though Allah has given the Prophets the knowledge and the prophethood, this fact should not make them refrain from following and supporting the Prophet who comes after them. This is why Allah, the Most High, Most Honored, said
(And (remember) when Allah took the covenant of the Prophets, saying: “Take whatever I gave you from the Book and Hikmah.”) meaning, if I give you the Book and the Hikmah,
(“and afterwards there will come to you a Messenger confirming what is with you; you must, then, believe in him and help him.” Allah said, “Do you agree (to it) and will you take up Isri”)
Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Ar-Rabi`, Qatadah and As-Suddi said that `Isri’ means, “My covenant.” Muhammad bin Ishaq said that,
(Isri) means, “The responsibility of My covenant that you took,” meaning, the ratified pledge that you gave Me.
(They said: “We agree.” He said: “Then bear witness; and I am with you among the witnesses.” then whoever turns away after this,”) from fulfilling this pledge and covenant, c
(they are the rebellious.) `Ali bin Abi Talib and his cousin `Abdullah bin `Abbas said, “Allah never sent a Prophet but after taking his pledge that if Muhammad were sent in his lifetime, he would believe in and support him.” Allah commanded each Prophet to take a pledge from his nation that if Muhammad were sent in their time, they would believe in and support him. Tawus, Al-Hasan Al-Basri and Qatadah said, “Allah took the pledge from the Prophets that they would believe in each other”, and this statement does not contradict what `Ali and Ibn `Abbas stated.
Therefore, Muhammad is the Final Prophet until the Day of Resurrection. He is the greatest Imam, who if he existed in any time period, deserves to be obeyed, rather than all other Prophets. This is why Muhammad led the Prophets in prayer during the night of Isra’ when they gathered in Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem). He is the intercessor on the Day of Gathering, when the Lord comes to judge between His servants. This is Al-Maqam Al-Mahmud (the praised station) ﴿refer to 17:79﴾ that only Muhammad deserves, a responsibility which the mighty Prophets and Messengers will decline to assume. However, Muhammad will carry the task of intercession, may Allah’s peace and blessings be on him.
(3:81) And recall when Allah took a covenant from the Prophets: ‘This is the Book and the Wisdom which I have given you. But should a Prophet come to you confirming that which is already with you, you shall believe in him and shall help him.[69] So saying, Allah asked: ‘Do you agree and accept to take up the burden of the covenant?’ They answered: ‘We agree,’ He said: Then bear wirness; and I will be with you among the witness.
69. A party of the People of the Book would fain lead you astray, whereas in truth they lead none astray except themselves, but they do not realize it.
[136]- i.e., Have you accepted this obligation?
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